There was rain until 8am and even though the sky brightened a little I kept one eye on the threatening grey clouds, the other on the birds. Out on Pilling Sea wall there’s nowhere to shelter should the heavens open.
There was a Peregrine way out on the sands but on a closer tidal flood, a gang of Whooper Swans which take up residence here each winter. Forty-five Whoopers plus two Mute Swans, 30+ Shelduck, 7 Little Egret and 3 Grey Heron.
Whooper Swan
Whooper Swan
On the wildfowler’s pools just 40 Teal, 2 Pintail and 150+ ex-release Hi-Fly Mallard. There have been at least 3 or 4 Wednesday shoots already this autumn so the numbers of Mallards is way down. There are still many Red-legged Partridge across the stubble and maize, probably 300+ left over from the release of 2,000 of them for the shooting season. Interestingly, I was told that the wildfowler’s peak (and quite staggering) count of 6/7000 wild Teal occurred in September, probably when I was away in Skiathos.
Red-legged Partridge
On and near the stubble field - 15 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Snipe, 100+ Jackdaw and 140+ Woodpigeon.
By now the promised wind was brewing up. It’s the legacy of Gonzalo, so I headed for the relative shelter of the trees at Fluke Hall.
A good number of Chaffinches were around today, with a higher number of contact calls than of late and also more small parties of birds moving through the tree tops. There was at least one Brambling so a count of 40+ Chaffinch and 1+ Brambling.
Chaffinch
Also in the trees and along the roadside, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Jay, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Buzzard and 15+ Long-tailed Tits. I think the splendid looking male Pied Wagtail has recently completed its summer moult.
Pied Wagtail
Here's a sepia-style Fluke Hall for old times sake.
Fluke Hall - Pilling
There’s meant to be even more wind tomorrow which if true rather limits any birding opportunities. But as ever for Another Bird Blog, if it’s half decent there will be more news and pictures soon.
Linking today to Anni's Birding Blog.
Wonderful variety of birds. The Partridge is pretty. And I love the cute Pied Wagtail. Great post, Phil!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photography of our 'feathered friends' ~ Love the one with bird 'in flight' ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend to you!
artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
Great Whooper Swan flight shot and I love the Red legged Partridge. Have a great weekend Phil.
ReplyDeletethe swans in flight and the partridge are awesome shots!
ReplyDeleteAnother good outing. The Chaffinch looks like similar to ourAmerican Goldfinch. I love crazy weather...just not when I'm on my trips finding birds because that really messes with outings:) Migration is upon us!
ReplyDeletepartridges and quail I have paintings of - love their big families wagtail a newbie for me
ReplyDeletepartridges I love in paintings especially with their big families
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Whoopers Phil and a stunning Red-legged Partridge
ReplyDeleteNice pics.. Happy weekend
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful bird shots. The last one is just too cute.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant variety of birds, Phil. I love the Red-legged Partridge the best; it resembles the Chakur Partridge on Robben Island, off Cape Town, South Africa. Your pied wagtail looks like the White Wagtail which occurs here from East to West Africa. But which we only saw once in the Sudan. Great photos. Thanks for sharing. Greetings, Jo (Tanzania)
ReplyDeleteI love the shots of the swans. We saw a big flock resting in a field when we came from Lappeenranta a couple of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteGreat swan shots - I used to love watching these up on the Northumbrian coast in the winter.
ReplyDeleteNot really sure what I think of hunting wildfowl.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Bonita entrada, amigo Phil. Estos días se puede ver dos ejemplares de Cisne cantor en las marismas de Santoña, cerca de mi casa, una especie muy rara por aquí. Lo común es ver Cisne vulgar. Saludos y feliz fin de semana.
ReplyDeleteThat partridge is a phenomenal bird! Love the colors. Vivid and brilliant reds...and the feather pattern...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm always a bit jealous of anyone that shows swans [of any kind] on their posts 'cause we are not that privileged here in South Texas.
And the gray sky above looks quite familiar these days...it's been rainy here also.
Thank you ever so much for sharing the link to your bird post at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend Phil!!
Whenever I visit Britain I am always happy to see a Red-legged Partridge. I know it's common but it always seems mildly exotic to me.
ReplyDeleteWonderful partridge! Love the chaffinch too. Glad the downpour didn't come! :-)
ReplyDeleteI meant to thank you for identifying my swallow at Tumacacori! You birders are such a great bunch of people!
ReplyDeleteThose swans are so eleg.ant
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! I love swans!:)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. As always I am amazed at the numbers of birds bred just to be shot. I especially like the sepia like photo of Fluke Hall. The Chaffinch is very beautiful. btw that is another bird that was introduced to New Zealand many years ago and is now listed as "naturalized".
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! I especially like the first shot of them!
ReplyDelete//Scaniatjejen
http://www.scaniatjejen.se
Lovely photos. You build 'em pretty across the pond!
ReplyDeleteWOW that Red-legged Partridge sure is a peach! What a brilliant looking bird and your photo of same, is stellar! The eye colouration and feathers, reminded me a bit of our Pheasants which still remain more than not elusive to me...huge sigh ;)
ReplyDelete